Article Posted on : - Sep 23, 2013

The C-5M Super Galaxy airlifter. A Lockheed photo

MARIETTA (BNS): Lockheed Martin has delivered the 12th C-5M Super Galaxy strategic airlifter to the US Air Force last week.

The new heavy military transport aircraft, which is the refurbished version of its predecessor the C-5 Galaxy, was flown to the Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, where it will undergo internal paint restoration before traveling to its permanent home at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Lockheed announced.

The C-5M is the only true strategic airlifter capable of offering the globe in one flight, unrefueled. It incorporates over 70 changes and upgrades, thereby greatly improving its reliability, efficiency, maintainability and availability.

The aircraft is powered by four GE Aviation-made CF6-80C2 engines. It also features a modern cockpit with a digital, all-weather flight control system and autopilot, a new communications suite, flat-panel displays and enhanced navigation and safety equipment. The aircraft also sports a newly painted tail flash and nose art.

The payload capacity of the new airlifter is 300 tons and it can climb to 34,000 feet in 18 minutes.

Lockheed Martin has been entrusted with the task of modernising a total of 52 C-5 Galaxy aircraft to the C-5M configuration through the Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program (RERP). The refurbished airlifters are scheduled to be delivered to the USAF by 2017.